Honest Advent: A Journey of Connection and Discovery to Uncover the Wonder of God's Presence in Our Lives Now, Here, and Everywhere

Osman: The product was exactly how ıt was described

Canada on Aug 22, 2023

Erika Joy: I've used this book for multiple advent seasons. It is always a refreshing reset and a unique way to revisit the familiar texts. I highly recommend it.

(To be fully honest I never finish it by Christmas day. It usually continues through January for me as life will get in the way. Someday I will finish it on actual Christmas day)

United States on Mar 23, 2023

Manderina: The autor, also an artist, writes 25 fresh devotionals, which can also be read throughout the year.

Every devotional is accompagned by an art piece and a bible verse.

The devotionals are to open up new perspectives and thoughts onto Jesus and faith. I find myself getting new revelations as I ponder upon his writing.

Very warmly suggested by me!

Germany on Nov 10, 2022

VerUN: A great book with beautiful artwork and some not sugar-coated views on the miracle of Advent and birth of Christ.

United Kingdom on Dec 16, 2021

kkm: this book literally performed CPR on my jaded heart as far as the possibility of wonder at Christmas. Let's be honest, 2020 was rough. I needed this book so badly. Everything scott puts to paper is gold.

I deeply appreciate his purposeful inclusion of the feminine. Not only of the story of Mary but God's feminity too. I didnt realize how much that would speak to me. Scott just quietly opens doors I didnt realize felt shut or I'd shut or doors that got slammed in my face. I love it through and through.

Canada on Nov 29, 2020

A. K. GourleyA. K. Gourley: I always say that Scott Erickson's art gave me the experience of Visio Divina before I knew it was a thing. His images present holy realities with a simplicity and frankness that makes you keep looking (and looking and looking and thinking about what you saw days and weeks later). I'm a words person so this observation-based way of engaging with the truths of scripture was completely new to me. The first of his images I enountere (shared here) was of the depiction of the full-term, head down baby inside the woman's body. A mother myself, I've only ever seen an image like that in prenatal books and OBGYN offices. The reality of the incarnation, the virgin birth, the 9 months of waiting, the actual pregnant-ness of Advent, the birth to come absolutely bowled me over. All of Advent and through Christmas, that piece of art was still stirring me. Powerful.

The art alone (paired with it's inspired scriptures) is an experience in and of itself and is worth the cost of the book. Since art is universal, I'm planning to use the images as the basis for our family advent study with my kiddos (ages 4, 6, and 8).
But Erickson has also framed his work with accessible, short, pertinent...

United States on Oct 21, 2020

Wesley wood: This book is released at a time when we need less glitz and more honest reflection in the midst of our raw experiences.

Scott’s art continues to bring image to areas of my life I fight to see. But, in this book especially he’s doubled down with language that pushes me even further.

And the good news? Christ is there. Honest Advent reminds us that when we step away from the innocent manger depictions we are often provided, we can come face to face with the risk filled physical and beautiful incarnation - God with us.

God didn’t show up in the calm mangers scenes we see on lawns and thank God. Life is real, physical, spiritual and bloody and God is with in the midst of it.

Thank you Scott. I needed this book.

Canada on Oct 21, 2020

Jackie: I have been following Scott for about a year, his artwork and speaking events always bringing me hope and joy in my darkest hours. The second I was able to pre-order this book I did, and found myself counting down the days until release day. To be invited to read it early was an amazing gift, as it came to me in a month of weariness and exhaustion. As Scott's art and words usually do, I was moved toward hope.
Growing up, I had a nagging feeling that the stories I was hearing were lacking something. As an adult, able to discover and dig deeper into the Word for myself, I realized it was never the Bible but those teaching it to me - humans have such a propensity to clean everything up to be more appealing, it shouldn't have been so surprising to me to find that we had done it even to His word given to us. My first Christmas as a mother I found myself crying at every mention of Mary -- how beautiful was the gift, how messy and complicated and hard, and how much harder knowing Who she carried in her womb and then her arms? To see this beauty - in all it's messy and bloody and hard - depicted alongside a raw and honest look at what God-with-us means was just what I needed. I can't...

United States on Oct 20, 2020

Lisa A. Degrenia: I've preached the Advent/Christmas story for over 20 years. Scott Erickson's Honest Advent makes connections I've never considered. Deep connections, rich connections, honest connections.

I first found Scott through Instagram (@scottthepainter), then through his book collaborations with Justin McRoberts (buy these books, too!), then through his prints, and now through his first solo book. His writing is poetic, yet also like you're talking with a friend over coffee. His illustrations/icons are engaging, thought-provoking, deceptively simple (look closer, there's more to see), helping his book to speak on multiple levels.

I'm switching most of my library to digital, yet this is a book I'm glad I have in print. It feels great in your hand with simple color choices, the texture of the paper, and artistic type choices. Consider this for your book club. Consider buying a bunch to hand out at Thanksgiving dinner.

If you're a pastor or small group leader, be sure to check out all the creative resources on the book's website. honestadvent.com

United States on Oct 20, 2020

Sandi F.: From the first time I saw Scott's are years ago, I have been intrigued by the rawness of it. It invokes deeper thought and feelings. It's more than just a pretty drawing or painting. It's emotion - the deepest kind. When I first got Honest Advent, I wanted to wait until the Christmas season to read it, but since I was in the launch team, I read it in October. At first, I just looked at the pictures and let myself sink into the emotion of therm. I thought about my own birthing experiences and the absolute miracle of each one. I remembered how I felt (at 44) being told I was pregnant - AGAIN! The total disbelief and yet how perfect and right it was.

Then, I began to read the words. Thank you Scott for asking questions that so many of us that grew up in the church have feared to ask. And for putting into words what my heart would not say out loud!

United States on Oct 20, 2020